Quotes by Edmund Burke

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.

– Edmund Burke

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.

– Edmund Burke

A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman.

– Edmund Burke

A people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the bone of manhood.

– Edmund Burke

A State without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation.

– Edmund Burke

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.

– Edmund Burke

Ambition can creep as well as soar.

– Edmund Burke

Among a people generally corrupt liberty cannot long exist.

– Edmund Burke

An event has happened, upon which it is difficult to speak, and impossible to be silent.

– Edmund Burke

Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.

– Edmund Burke

Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.

– Edmund Burke

Beauty is the promise of happiness.

– Edmund Burke

By gnawing through a dike, even a rat may drown a nation.

– Edmund Burke

Circumstances give in reality to every political principle its distinguishing color and discriminating effect. The circumstances are what render every civil and political scheme beneficial or noxious to mankind.